TWO weeks ago Celtic manager Neil Lennon admitted he was expecting richer clubs to make bids for seven of his players when the transfer window re-opens in January.

However, in the wake of Wednesday’s seismic win over Barcelona he insists if the Hoops can reach the last 16 of the Champions League nobody will want to leave Parkhead.

Manchester United once again ran the rule over Kenya midfielder Victor Wanyama in midweek, but a mid-season move to Old Trafford would see him cup-tied in the competition.

Celtic’s astonishing victory over the La Liga leaders leaves them poised to reach the knockout stage for the first time in five seasons and Lennon is optimistic that he can keep hold of his young stars.

“I’m relaxed about the situation,” he said. “Most of the players are on long-term contracts. If a huge bid comes in for somebody and we take it then it’s a win for us.

“We’ll have lost a player, but we’ll have a lot of money in the kitty to go and get another one and [chief scout] John Park is always working away in the background on that scenario.

if we get through to the last 16 then I don’t think that any player will want to leave. Why would anyone go in January when there’s so much to play for?

Celtic boss Neil Lennon

“But if we get through to the last 16 then I don’t think that any player will want to leave. Why would anyone go in January when there’s so much to play for?

“There’s still a massive amount of work to do before we get there, though.

“Psychologically, it will give them a huge lift because it means they will be going into the new year with something special to really focus on.

“Then the belief will kick in and they can think, ‘Where will this take us now?’ But we still have two tough games to come.

“I don’t think Benfica away will be as tough as the Nou Camp, but getting a result there will require another monumental performance from us.

“As for Spartak at home, they are dangerous opposition but we’ve given ourselves a great opportunity.

“There’s still a naivete about us all – we’re young and this is our first crack at it and we’ve done very well so far, but I’d love them to see it through.

“This team is growing. It’s not the finished article and maybe it never will be but they are giving us one hell of a ride and I think they will continue to do that.”

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova had vowed to field kids and rest his stars for their last two games if they had triumphed at Parkhead – a tactic which could have worked against Celtic.

Now, though, they are certain to be at full strength for the match in Moscow, a tie which will finish before Celtic’s match in Lisbon kicks off.

“Because we’ve beaten Barcelona it means that they’ve now got to go to Spartak with a strong team and that’s got to work in our favour,” said Lennon.

“That’s another huge bonus from Wednesday for us. Barcelona will be hurting and they’ll want to restore their reputation.

“I don’t think it’s been damaged but us beating them was a shock.

“I’m aware that if Barca take something from the game in Moscow then a score draw will take us through but we’re just taking each game as it comes.

“Rangers had seven points after only three games in 2007 and still didn’t go through so we could end up with nothing. We need to temper expectations.”

Lennon and his coaching staff also need to make sure their players don’t suffer a reaction to their European exertions at home to St Johnstone today.

“I do know that the atmosphere will be flatter against St Johnstone and you can’t help that,” he said. “After all, it was Barcelona, it was a full house and it was the Champions League and now it’s back to the SPL.

“There’s no doubt that there will be a natural dip and it’s about trying to manage that with the players and get them through that.